It's one of the questions we're asked most: “Can I keep them on all day?” The short answer: yes for clear lenses, no for tinted lenses. The long answer, with the myths to forget, is below.
Clear lenses: from morning to night, no problem
A clear “blue light” lens has a surface coating that reflects a small share of blue and, above all, reduces reflections. It doesn't change colours and lets through most of the light. So you can wear it all day: at the office, on video calls, in class, in front of the TV, and even outdoors (it simply isn't sun protection).
At SAY, these are MIDI, HAVANE and JADE, lightweight frames designed to be forgotten on your nose.
Tinted lenses: evenings only
An amber or orange lens removes a large share of blue light — and therefore part of the light altogether. During the day, that's not its job: daylight's blue light helps keep you alert, and a tinted lens can make you feel drowsy. It also changes colours. Keep SAFRAN, DUNE or BRAISE for evening screen time, and take them off to drive at night (we explain why here).
The myths to forget
“My eyes will get lazy”
No. Non-prescription lenses don't do any work in place of your eyes: they don't correct anything, so your eyes don't “get used” to anything. You can take them off whenever you like.
“You need to take them off now and then to let your eyes breathe”
Your eyes don't need to “breathe” in the open air without glasses. What they need are screen breaks: looking into the distance, blinking. With or without glasses.
“It protects my retina”
Blue light from screens doesn't damage the retina at usual levels, according to current knowledge. A pair brings comfort, not medical protection. We give an honest overview in this article.
The real criteria for all-day comfort
- Weight. A lightweight frame doesn't mark your nose or slip.
- Size. A frame that's too narrow squeezes your temples by the end of the day. Check with our size guide.
- Clean lenses. Greasy lenses are as tiring as a badly set screen: a rinse in lukewarm water in the morning, and the microfibre cloth (the right method).
- Style. You'll wear them in front of colleagues, friends and on video calls: choose a pair that feels like you.
What if I get headaches wearing them?
With neutral lenses, it's unusual. Check that the frame isn't too tight, that the lenses are clean, and that you're not wearing tinted lenses in broad daylight. If the headaches persist, they probably come from something else — often a small prescription that was never measured: get your eyes tested.
Read next: After 45: screens, presbyopia and blue light glasses · Blue light glasses: the downsides, and what eye doctors say